2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Makes European Debut With a Chase Through the Swiss Alps

So you already knew that Ford would be bringing back the Mustang Bullitt this year, and that it would be offered in the United States. How could it not, after all? The film upon which this Mustang variant is based practically features San Francisco as a leading character. This might have you thinking, perhaps, that Ford would limit the 2019 Mustang Bullitt to the good ol’ US of A. You’d be wrong.

Ford this month brought its new Mustang Bullitt to the Geneva Motor Show for its European debut, confirming in the process that it will go into production in June for European customers with deliveries expected to begin in early 2019. Like the newly-announced Ford Mustang GT California Special—which will, presumably, not be offered for European customers—the Mustang Bullitt is confirmed to receive a new rev-matching technology for the six-speed manual transmission that will improve downshifting. It will also be among the first Ford Mustangs to receive Bang & Olufsen’s B&O PLAY audio system.

“Nothing captured the spirit and excitement of Mustang quite like that amazing car chase in Bullitt,” said Steven Armstrong, group vice president and president, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Ford Motor Company. “The new Mustang Bullitt will pack a similar punch when it goes on sale this year with more power, exciting new features like rev-matching and B&O PLAY audio, and—just like Steve McQueen— dripping with understated cool.”

And like its debut in Detroit, the Mustang Bullitt was unveiled in Europe with the help of the McQueen family—his son Chad and grandchildren Chase and Madison. Like McQueen’s granddaughter Molly, Chase and Madison starred in short film where the Mustang Bullitt displayed its abilities in a manner not unlike the original 1968 Mustang GT in the legendary 10-minute chase sequence. Here, the duo drive the Mustang Bullitt through the Swiss Alps with a Mercedes giving chase.

Watch: Chase and Madison McQueen—and the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt—Outrun a Mercedes in the Swiss Alps

“At home we’re surrounded by memorabilia and reminders of our grandfather’s role in Bullitt, and we’ve watched the film more times than I can remember, so to be part of launching the third-generation Mustang Bullitt here in Europe has been a special experience,” said Chase.

“Our dad, Chad, taught us to drive in Fords along the Californian coastal roads, so it’s been amazing working alongside him and this new car. We were over the moon that Ford and the Steve McQueen estate were recently able to donate the first new Mustang Bullitt VIN 001 for auction, raising $300,000 for charity,” added Madison.